KC International Studies students bring their culture to KHS
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Edgar Gomez, a Kilgore College student from Venezuela speaks to Kilgore High School students Wednesday.

Kilgore High School students were treated to a day of culture Wednesday when eight Kilgore College International Studies students from Spanish-speaking countries came to introduce their culture to the students.

Tabbatha Higginbotham, coordinator of the event for KHS, said the visiting KC students spoke in their native language as well as talked about their homelands, and even gave a demonstration of Salsa dancing.

KHS students asked a variety of questions about life in the other countries and about the students' feelings about life the United States.

KC students making presentations were Edgar Gomez (Venezuela), Christhian Baracaldo (Colombia), Mireya Vancini (Mexico), Carlos Piedrahita (Colombia), Diego Baracaldo (Colombia), Saly Ela (Equatorial Guinea), Kathy Ela (Equatorial Guinea) and Monica Guerra (El Salvador).

Capt. Juan Aguilar, Company Commander U.S. Army Recruiting Company out of Tyler said their involvement with Wednesday's event was for the U.S. Army to play a middle man role by connecting the Kilgore High School Spanish department with the International Student Program at Kilgore college for an International student forum.

Aguilar said the U.S. Army is very active in our High Schools and

Colleges and after numerous e-mails and visits Wednesday's event became reality. "I am hoping next year will be an even bigger presentation then this years," said Aguilar. "The plans are already in the works."

"We believe it is important for Kilgore's community to get a taste of other cultures and people, specially when due to today's technology we can gain communication very rapidly and - unfortunately - we may lose it as well," said Aguilar. "We provided some of the logis- tical work to transport the students, we provided a lot of Army goodies for students and faculty. It was a great event and it was great to share this with Kilgore High School."

Participating classes were Higginbotham's Spanish class, Cheryl Couch's Spanish class, Ernesta Dickens' Spanish class, Kim Macedo's Spanish class, Ron Avey's world geography and history class, David Travis's world geography class, Kerry Strong's history class, Gloria Baggett's government class, Catherine Davis' English as a Second Language class, Veronica Black's history class, Diane Bollinger's theater class and Georgia Joiner's media class.

Higginbotham said members of the U.S. Army were also on hand giving away tee shirts, hats, water bottles, lanyards, and other items. Sgt. Mercer and Capt. Aguilar facilitated the planning of the program and transported the KC students to and from the high school.

Higginbotham said the event was a big success with teachers, students and the KC student presenters. "Plans are in the works to continue the partnership between KHS and the KC International Studies Program," said Higginbotham.